3. Skimping on editing. “Editing is the biggest time sinkhole,” says Drew Keller, a video producer at StoryGuide and Microsoft content developer, “but it’s critical, because it can save a so-so shoot if you have the right tools.”

What are your options?

“Adobe Premiere Elements and Sony Vegas are good easy-entry solutions,” he says. “Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, DavinciResolve and Avid Media Composer are more expensive professional options.”

The team at Goodwill uses iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere. That doesn’t mean, however, that staffers have the time to edit all their own b-roll.

“We use freelance video editors because it saves time and stretches our video budget,” says Mary Speed, a digital media specialist at Goodwill. “We look for someone with good technical skills, good people skills and experience working with similar clients—not someone who will just stitch our videos together.”

She advises against working with student video editors or interns just to save money.

“Look instead for recommendations within your network,” says Speed. “You can also contact organizations with videos you like to see who they’d refer.”

4.Not checking the gate. “Checking the gate” traditionally meant clearing potential obstructions from an aperture before the film cycled through the camera. Today, it means ensuring your shot is free of distractions.

“Get in close to the viewfinder, and double-check your focus,” says Malone Media videographer Brian Malone. “Otherwise, you could zoom in on your footage in the editing stream and discover it was slightly out of focus. That’s hard to fix [in post-production].”

Also be aware of everything that’s in the frame.

For example, “A calendar or clock in the background can cause plenty of problems later,” Malone says. “That’s why you see videos where it looks like a minute hand is bouncing around in the background. The video was edited, and it’s distracting.”